John E. Stefan

John E. “Jack” Stefan, 86, passed away with his family by his side at his Lancaster, PA residence on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Jack shared 63 years of marriage with his wife Mary (Larkin) Stefan. They moved to Lancaster County from West Nyack, NY in 1979.

He was born in Nyack, NY, the son of the late John A. and Jeannette (Barbour) Stefan. Jack earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University and his MBA from Columbia University and had a long and distinguished career in banking. He was President, CEO, and Chairman of the Board of Sterling Financial Corporation and Bank of Lancaster County. He served as a Director of First National Bank of North East and as a Director of Bank of Hanover and Trust Company.

Jack was an avid gardener, golfer, and bird watcher. He was a member of Lancaster Country Club, Dataw Island Club, SC, and Lancaster County Bird Club. He was a past board member of Lancaster County Historical Society, the Economic Development Company of Lancaster County, and served on the Government Relations Council of the American Bankers Association. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Association of Community Bankers Hall of Fame,

In addition to his wife, Mary, he is survived by his daughter Jennifer Stefan Rowe (husband John) of Richmond, VA, his son, John J. Stefan of Lancaster, two grandsons, John Barbour “Jack” Rowe of Austin, TX and Matthew Stefan Rowe of Richmond, VA, and his sister, Carol S. Devery (husband Kieran) of Scottsdale, AZ. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his three-year-old daughter Mary Lisa Stefan.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 am on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 601 E. Delp Road, Lancaster, PA 17601. Jack’s family will receive guests from 10am to 11am at church on Tuesday.

Private inurnment will be in St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery, Nanuet, NY at a later date.

Please omit flowers and kindly consider a contribution in John’s memory to Hospice & Community Care, Development Office, 685 Good Drive, Lancaster, PA 17601

Hospice & Community Care

or to Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute Precision Medicine Fund through the Lancaster General Health Foundation, 2110 Harrisburg Pike, Suite 205, Lancaster, PA 17601.